Sussex County Commissioner Director Jill Space and Frankford Township Mayor Dave Silverthorne today announced their intention to run as a team in the 2025 race for Sussex County Commissioner.

“As a local business owner with generations of family who call Sussex County home, I am deeply committed to the county’s future prosperity and that of its residents,” said Director Space. “Providing competent, responsive government to our residents while keeping costs as low as possible has been the Republican Commissioners’ Board mantra for years.”

As a Member of the Budget Committee, Space helped direct $100,000 earmarked for the County College to Sussex Technical High School to save a popular shop from cuts. She also played a key role in appointing three new members to Sussex Tech’s School Board allowing for a new President and Vice President who are committed to growing the school and taking it in a positive direction.

Space has also played a leading role in creation of a Veterans’ Support Group in the county; the acquisition of two new buses for the County’s “Skyline Ride” fleet; and supported the approval of grant funding for struggling small businesses in the county – providing over $2 million in relief and $440,000 to local first responders after the pandemic.  She also served as an elected 2016 Trump delegate and represented New Jersey on the platform committee.

On the ticket this year, Commissioner Space is thrilled to be joined by Frankford Township Mayor Dave Silverthorne.

“In Frankford Township, we have shown that a common-sense conservative approach to governance works,” said Mayor Silverthorne. “I look forward to bringing that experience to the Sussex County Board of Commissioners and building on their recent good work.”

As Mayor and a member of the Township Committee, Silverthorne has implemented conservative fiscal policies to pay off all outstanding municipal debt; utilized shared services with neighboring municipalities and county government to lessen the local tax burden; and called for a 10% waste cut from municipal department heads.

In addition, Silverthorne provided results for Frankford and surrounding towns. He led a joint project that corrected a stormwater flooding issue that affected both Branchville Borough and Frankford by utilizing mostly state grant funding. He also organized and oversaw a meeting with the New Jersey State Police Barracks Commander, Sussex County Sheriff and mayors and/or municipal officials who utilize the NJ State Police for primary law enforcement, fostering increased level of communication between all parties to keep local communities safe.

The Space-Silverthorne ticket also announced endorsements from: Senator Parker Space, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, Assemblyman Mike Inganamort, Sheriff Mike Strada, County Commissioner Chris Carney, Franklin Mayor John Sowden, Fredon Mayor Glenn Dietz, Hampton Township Mayor Tim Dooley, Hardyston Mayor Frank Cicerale, Hopatcong Mayor Marie Galate, Lafayette Mayor and County Commissioner-elect Alan Henderson, Montague Mayor George Zitone, Ogdensburg Mayor George Hutnick, Sandyston Mayor George Harper, Stanhope Mayor Gene Wronko, Stillwater Mayor Lisa Chammings, Sussex Borough Mayor Robert Holowach, Vernon Mayor Anthony Rossi, Republican State Committeeman Billy Marotta, and County Republican Chairman Joe LaBarbera.

“Commissioner Director Space and Mayor Silverthorne have proven themselves to be effective leaders who not only defend, but also propel forward our Sussex County conservative values,” said LaBarbera, in personally endorsing the team.

Space and Silverthorne, who called themselves longtime supporters, also expressed excitement about the recent election of Donald Trump as our 47^th President and pledged to their part in helping him make America great again.